This is one of the best written books I have read in a long time. Most of my reading has been from Christian writers, and often times I find them lacking in true talent. This writer introduces you to the characters in the book, and develops them to the point you feel you know them. Her knowledge of the Congo and their culture are amazing. She shows, through the missionary pastor, what Christianity is not...and then through others in the book, what true Christianity is, without preaching or trying to prove anything. Christians can learn a lot from this book.

This book hosts a stunning display of the hardships of life in the Congo during their fight for independence. It portrays four very realistic women and a prideful man who views himself very highly and jeopardizes his family because of it. This book however, has a harsh view of Christianity, a view that is void of love, especially from Nathan's standpoint. His actions do not display compassion, and it leaves his family, and the Congolese in complete disarray and confusion about the Bible and Christianity. I would encourage readers to gain an understanding about what Christianity is really about, and that its cornerstone is God, and God is love and forgiveness. Not spiteful and vengeful. God loves each of us, and knows us. God is real, and true and exists, and Nathan does not show respect or love for the Congolese people, which is not the way of Jesus Christ. The mother finally understands, without the help of her husband, how to love the Congolese, but they are still confused about their convictions. My point: Take the book for what it is, because there are quotes from the Bible, they are just out of context. Take the points that are good and make one appreciate what they have, and learn from the acts of kindness and compassion, but don't draw inaccurate conclusions about Christianity.

All my friends went on and on about this book so I was very anxious to read it, particularly since I had spent some time in the old Belgian Congo, then known as Zaire.I was deeply offended by the book. The missionary bore absolutely no resemblance to any missionary of any stripe that I had met in the Congo. None. Zero. Zip. Nathan Price is a cariacature.The events of his daughters' lives seem contrived and hard to imagine.

Barbara Kingsolver is a fantastic writer. I read this in a college English class. I was astonished to find it on christianbooks.com because this book is in no way biblical. Read this book and you will discover why the East hates the West. Nathan Price is a fire and hell preacher who gives a bad name to evangelical. He shows no love but all wrath. He is not commanded by the love of Christ, but the ethnocentrism of himself. I write this not to deter anyone from reading it. Contrary to that, I think that the reader should go into this book skeptical of the evangelism techniques. Sadly, this still occurs today. Missionaries are being sent out not from a divine calling, but from a earthly passion. This book shows why anthropology students hate the western church. Nathan Price destroys culture, thought, social life, and life as a whole.However, I will affirm that Kingsolver is a phenomenal writer as seen vividly in this book.